Akron/Cleveland 8 Owners.
#479
...is it over yet?
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Euclid,OH
Posts: 490
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#485
...is it over yet?
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Euclid,OH
Posts: 490
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Yes, we're probably going to get beat, but it doesn't break my heart cuz I know she has a few advantages. One, if I remember corectly, Beth has Falkens. Secondly, Mark and I both have something that "obstructs" moving our legs as fast as a girl can in a car.
In everything else (besides divorce court), this "part" is an advantage to us, but not in autocross.
We'll see how it goes.
![Lol](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/lol.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Last edited by tony_673; 05-15-2008 at 09:37 AM.
#489
...is it over yet?
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Euclid,OH
Posts: 490
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#491
...is it over yet?
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Euclid,OH
Posts: 490
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With all of the smack talking you do, Mark, you'd better get your rear end on the track at Nelson's the next time I go. And not in someone else's car either!
![Yesnod](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/yesnod.gif)
Last edited by tony_673; 05-15-2008 at 12:37 PM.
#495
Grasshopper
iTrader: (1)
So Thursday morning I noticed that the weather was going to be great and it was going to rain throughout the weekend (at least what the weather guy said).
I thought this would be the best time to install my new intake... oh boy...
Things started off with no problems. I had the bumper off and the AEM intake removed in less than an hour. I was calculating a 1.5hr job to do this intake swap... boy was I wrong. What would (should) have taken 1.5 - 2 hours, ended up taking 6 (thats right... SIX)
Let me start off by saying this... if anyone is planning on buy the Racing Beat Revi intake... make sure you have a stock intake or if you have an aftermarket intake (like I had), you better have kept every little bolt, spacer, and grommet! This is where I got frustrated.
It required that I remove one of the mess screens from my stock intake and fit it after their intake box. It was an EXTREMELY tight fit and I used a flat-head screw driver around the rim of the mess screen to squeeze it in. I ended up slipping my screwdriver and it punctured the screen. So I had to get the second screen out of my stock intake box (which is a pain). Now for those who don't know, the mess screens are VERY important because it helps stabilize airflow across the MAF sensor... so a puncture in the mess will create turbulence across the MAF and give the PCM inaccurate readings. Now why Racing Beat couldn't just incorporate this into their box is beyond me.
Then I read further and it required the stock accordion tube thats before the throttle body... so now I had to use the hose fittings I was going to give to Doc Friday when he came over. Not only that, but it requires a hose clamp on either side. If anyone has ever looked at this hose clamp, they would see that its not a standard clamp that you can pick up at Autozone (though I'm going to drive there when they open just to be sure). So I took three zip-ties and wrapped the hose.
It now required a bolt and spacer that is under the stock bottom intake tray... which I don't have... so its only being held in place by two bolts in the front.
Then they supplied a foam grommet/seal for the entrance to the engine bay. What could go wrong with that you say... The grommet was formed in an oval shape (which is the shape of the opening), but it needed to be unraveled the other way. So as you try to form the grommet around the opening, it wants to go back to its original shape. So I got fed-up and decided to get some materials at work.
Even the ram air duct needed to be VERY loosely fitted and then bolted down so that you can bend brackets as you tighten.
Everything I've ever installed into this car was made for a perfectly aligned fit... this intake required so much crap and adjustments that I give this intake (as far as installation) a "D"... only because if I had my stock components, it wold have been easier. But the mis-alignments and having to reuse components from the stock intake seemed like a real half-*** thing to do for the price, I expected more.
Now for after the install... I reset the NVRAM and KAM, letting it sit idle for a few minutes to relearn its trim. I did notice that you can hear a rush of air/vacuum through the large mouth of the air duct (which sounded cool). Now I decided to take it for a spin. It actually felt really nice and they advertise a slight Db (2-3%) increase over stock. The sound was noticeable, but gave a really low "growl" during WOT... which sounded sexy. It also produced a unique "typhoon/whirlwind" sound during WOT too... thats the best I could describe it.
So my conclusion... the installation can be a headache (and impossible if you don't have your stock intake). Reusing stock components is a cheap way to go for someone paying $340... especially since the AEM costs the same AND gives you new bolts and everything. And to take advantage of the "cold air intake" method of delivering air into the engine, you need to purchase an additional air duct for $135... totaling almost $500 including shipping (remember, AEM gives you all of this for $340). So if you're stock and want to upgrade the intake (and don't mind spending more time and money), the Racing Beat isn't that bad (once its installed). If you're looking for a nice sounding intake (because no intake for the RX8 will give you much gain), then go with the AEM/MS intake. If sound isn't important to you, stick with the stock intake and install a K&N drop filter.
Hope I didn't bore you with this rant.
Sorry to Doc for not coming through like I said I would with my stock components (that I had to reuse).
And Tony, the intake is all yours whenever you want it... though I might ask you for some components from your stock intake once you install the AEM, like the hose clamp and the tray spacer.
Attached are pics for your viewing pleasure.
I thought this would be the best time to install my new intake... oh boy...
Things started off with no problems. I had the bumper off and the AEM intake removed in less than an hour. I was calculating a 1.5hr job to do this intake swap... boy was I wrong. What would (should) have taken 1.5 - 2 hours, ended up taking 6 (thats right... SIX)
![Eyecrazy](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/Eyecrazy.gif)
Let me start off by saying this... if anyone is planning on buy the Racing Beat Revi intake... make sure you have a stock intake or if you have an aftermarket intake (like I had), you better have kept every little bolt, spacer, and grommet! This is where I got frustrated.
![Banghead](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/banghead.gif)
It required that I remove one of the mess screens from my stock intake and fit it after their intake box. It was an EXTREMELY tight fit and I used a flat-head screw driver around the rim of the mess screen to squeeze it in. I ended up slipping my screwdriver and it punctured the screen. So I had to get the second screen out of my stock intake box (which is a pain). Now for those who don't know, the mess screens are VERY important because it helps stabilize airflow across the MAF sensor... so a puncture in the mess will create turbulence across the MAF and give the PCM inaccurate readings. Now why Racing Beat couldn't just incorporate this into their box is beyond me.
![Icon No2](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/icon_no2.gif)
Then I read further and it required the stock accordion tube thats before the throttle body... so now I had to use the hose fittings I was going to give to Doc Friday when he came over. Not only that, but it requires a hose clamp on either side. If anyone has ever looked at this hose clamp, they would see that its not a standard clamp that you can pick up at Autozone (though I'm going to drive there when they open just to be sure). So I took three zip-ties and wrapped the hose.
It now required a bolt and spacer that is under the stock bottom intake tray... which I don't have... so its only being held in place by two bolts in the front.
Then they supplied a foam grommet/seal for the entrance to the engine bay. What could go wrong with that you say... The grommet was formed in an oval shape (which is the shape of the opening), but it needed to be unraveled the other way. So as you try to form the grommet around the opening, it wants to go back to its original shape. So I got fed-up and decided to get some materials at work.
Even the ram air duct needed to be VERY loosely fitted and then bolted down so that you can bend brackets as you tighten.
Everything I've ever installed into this car was made for a perfectly aligned fit... this intake required so much crap and adjustments that I give this intake (as far as installation) a "D"... only because if I had my stock components, it wold have been easier. But the mis-alignments and having to reuse components from the stock intake seemed like a real half-*** thing to do for the price, I expected more.
Now for after the install... I reset the NVRAM and KAM, letting it sit idle for a few minutes to relearn its trim. I did notice that you can hear a rush of air/vacuum through the large mouth of the air duct (which sounded cool). Now I decided to take it for a spin. It actually felt really nice and they advertise a slight Db (2-3%) increase over stock. The sound was noticeable, but gave a really low "growl" during WOT... which sounded sexy. It also produced a unique "typhoon/whirlwind" sound during WOT too... thats the best I could describe it.
So my conclusion... the installation can be a headache (and impossible if you don't have your stock intake). Reusing stock components is a cheap way to go for someone paying $340... especially since the AEM costs the same AND gives you new bolts and everything. And to take advantage of the "cold air intake" method of delivering air into the engine, you need to purchase an additional air duct for $135... totaling almost $500 including shipping (remember, AEM gives you all of this for $340). So if you're stock and want to upgrade the intake (and don't mind spending more time and money), the Racing Beat isn't that bad (once its installed). If you're looking for a nice sounding intake (because no intake for the RX8 will give you much gain), then go with the AEM/MS intake. If sound isn't important to you, stick with the stock intake and install a K&N drop filter.
Hope I didn't bore you with this rant.
Sorry to Doc for not coming through like I said I would with my stock components (that I had to reuse).
And Tony, the intake is all yours whenever you want it... though I might ask you for some components from your stock intake once you install the AEM, like the hose clamp and the tray spacer.
Attached are pics for your viewing pleasure.
Last edited by Jon316G; 05-16-2008 at 03:49 AM.
#498
Gophericer...?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Brinkhaven, or Hudson
Posts: 353
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Well I won't have to worry about my helmet anymore, i returned that $30 one and then went to State 8 Motorcycles and bought a Snell rated helmet that was on sale for $105.
Now i just have to decide between, painters tape, shoe polish, or soap for my numbers.....hmmmmm....
Btw hi Beth this is Josh from the Chrysler Plant AutoX back in April.
Now i just have to decide between, painters tape, shoe polish, or soap for my numbers.....hmmmmm....
Btw hi Beth this is Josh from the Chrysler Plant AutoX back in April.